WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright is a life-long Alaskan, born and raised in Anchorage; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright attended the University of Alaska Anchorage, the Travel Academy, earning her Travel Specialist Certificate, and is currently a senior at the University of Alaska Southeast seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with an emphasis in sociology; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright's belief in community involvement and her concern for the citizens of Alaska has been demonstrated in her volunteer work with the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Special Olympics, Anchorage Center for Families, and the AWARE Shelter; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright has shown a commitment to furthering her knowledge in the field of sociology by becoming an active member of the Pacific Sociological Association and the American Sociological Association; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright, prior to moving to Juneau with her husband, Bruce Wright, worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage for the Alaska Natural Heritage Program; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright, after enrolling at the University of Alaska Southeast, was actively involved on the staff of the student newspaper, Whalesong, in the positions of Advertising Manager, Production Manager, On-Line Editor, Photo Editor, and culminating in her position as Editor in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright was appointed by Governor Tony Knowles to the University of Alaska Board of Regents in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright has distinguished herself as a leader of the Board of Regents by serving on its Academic and Student Affairs and Human Resources Committees, and as the Board of Regents' Secretary from 1998-1999; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright, during her tenure as a member of the Board of Regents, has demonstrated her strong commitment to issues of concern to all students throughout the University of Alaska System; and

WHEREAS, Annette M. Nelson-Wright served as Student Regent during a period where the majority of student policies were being revised, and stood as a conduit between the Board of Regents and the Coalition of Student Leaders, ensuring that students were informed and student concerns shared with board members and administration during the many discussions involved in formulating new policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Regents recognizes the dedicated service of Annette M. Nelson-Wright, and extends to her this official statement of appreciation for her contributions to the student population of the University of Alaska, the University of Alaska System, and the advancement of higher education in Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and conveyed to Annette M. Nelson-Wright with a copy incorporated in the official minutes of the April 23, 1999 meeting of the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

"The Board of Regents approves the Resolution of Appreciation for Annette M. Nelson-Wright. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

VA. Approval of Resolution of Appreciation for C. Patty Kastelic

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic is retiring from the University of Alaska after 17 years of service; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic began her career at the University of Alaska in 1982 first as director of the UAF Women's Center from 1982 to 1987, then served as Coordinator of Student Affairs at UAF from 1987 to 1991; and since 1991 has held the position of Executive Director of Human Resources for the University of Alaska Statewide System; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic also served the State of Alaska as the Executive Assistant to Governor Steve Cowper from 1986 to 1987; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic has demonstrated her deep commitment to employee rights as evidenced by her graduate coursework in Counseling and Management at New School, New York City and at the University of Alaska, and by becoming a Certified Mediator Negotiator through the National Center for Mediation and Negotiation; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic has further shown her concern and compassion for issues that uphold the dignity of women and minorities through her involvement in the Alaska Women's Lobby Steering Committee, NOW Fairbanks Chapter, and Women in Crisis Counseling-Assistance; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic has supported the education of the citizens of Alaska not only through her commitment to the University of Alaska but through her involvement as a Commissioner on the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission from 1988 to 1993 and 1995 to the present; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic, while serving as Executive Director of Statewide Human Resources spearheaded efforts that resulted in greatly improved and effective Human Resources policies and regulations, a systemwide job evaluation system, a manageable salary structure, and a change in health care benefits, all of which had been desperately needed by the system and which have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars saved by the University of Alaska, as mandated by the Board of Regents in its efforts to become more efficient with less funds; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic has served as an inspiration to her staff, turning the Statewide Human Resources department into one in which service to its clients is its first and foremost concern; and

WHEREAS, C. Patty Kastelic always performed her duties with competence, skill and dedication to the best long-term interests of the University of Alaska;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Regents recognizes the exceptional service of C. Patty Kastelic, and extends to her this official statement of appreciation for her contributions to the University and the advancement of higher education in Alaska; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be conveyed to C. Patty Kastelic with a copy incorporated in the official minutes of the April 23, 1999 meeting of the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

The Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature honors the eight years of leadership Joan K. Wadlow has given the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Dr. Wadlow was raised in Norfolk, Nebraska. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, her Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and she attended the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was a Rotary Scholar. In keeping with her interest in higher education, she worked as a professor and administrator at several Western universities, these included University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Wyoming, and University of Oklahoma. Then in 1991, Dr. Wadlow became the third person and the first woman to serve as Chancellor for the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Under Dr. Wadlow's administration, UAF was honored in many different ways. UAF is one of the top 100 public universities in the United States for research and development. The university is also classified as a doctoral II institution by the Carnegie Foundation. It is the nation's only arctic university, and as such, is center stage for global change research. UAF has held top ranking for the third highest number of merit scholars in the Pacific Northwest.

Other distinguishing UAF honors include having their first Truman Scholar in 1997. In 1999, the UAF College Bowl team won second place in the Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament, which involved more than 300 schools nationwide. IN 1993 and 1999, UAF engineering students captured top honors at the Mathematical Contest in Modeling, where 400 national and international schools participated. In 1997 and 1999, the UAF Rifle Team won national championships. The UAF Rifle Team has been one of the premier teams in the country for the last decade. In 1995, UAF men's hockey team became a member of the prestigious Central Collegiate Hockey Association, which is considered the nation's toughest hockey conference.

Additionally, Dr. Wadlow oversaw many positive capital projects on the UAF campus under challenging financial situations. These projects include the construction of the Natural Sciences Building, the Student Recreation Center, and the International Arctic Research Center. She instituted the first organized fundraising campaign for UAF. This campaign raised $12.1 million to help UAF address Alaskan and Arctic issues and over $6 million towards the Museum 2000 Building Expansion Campaign.

Aside from her duties as chief executive officer at UAF, Dr. Wadlow has been active in the community. She has served on the Alaska Airlines Community Advisory Board, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Key Bank of Alaska Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board, and National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Dr. Wadlow leaves UAF as an exemplary university that has been enhanced by her hard work and dedication. It is with the greatest appreciation that the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature recognizes Joan K. Wadlow for her service to Alaska as Chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Signed by: Brian Porter, Speaker of the House; Drue Pearce, President of the Senate, and Tom Brice, Prime Sponsor, dated April 14, 1999.

Board President Burns had Officer Phillips read the following letter to former Commissioner of Education Shirley Holloway, into the record. Chancellor Wadlow requested that before the letter is sent, it include thanks for her work on the Rural Educator Preparation Partnership.

Dear Dr. Holloway:

It was with regret that the Board of Regents learned of your resignation as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education. Your absolute commitment to the education of the youth of Alaska was an inspiration to all who were privileged to meet you. The dedication and effort you have personally expended to ensure the success of the Alaska Quality Schools Initiative will benefit the state in every way as we enter the 21st century.

In addition, the University of Alaska owes you a special debt of gratitude for your assistance and understanding during the restructuring of our Schools of Education. Because of this, the University now stands ready to assist the state in its goal of producing an able and qualified teaching workforce.

We wish you the very best in your future endeavors and again thank you for your invaluable service to the state of Alaska and its citizens.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Burns, President, University of Alaska Board of Regents

Eric Forrer, former regent, made the following statement:

Poor Alaska
Poor Legislature
Poor people
The Homeric Oracle, Our Lady of Poverty
She and her brethren,
They help us know how poor we are.
From their bastion on the altar of budget reduction
Knives honed by party discipline
They gently make the sacrifices:
Public health
Resource management
Our own children and their future
Our landless land-grant university.
And all that rural mess, that's out there somewhere.
If only it weren't quite so far away.
We just can't afford to be Alaska anymore.
200 Billion dollars in oil flowed from Prudhoe.
50 Billion accrued to the state
22 Billion is in permanent savings
These figures give poverty a new meaning.
Big Oil has an after state-tax gross of 150 billion dollars
While we hand resource management over to the Feds
While we split ourselves along racial lines
And argue about who gets to snare the last rabbit.
I'll bet they're laughing themselves sick in the boardrooms.

Poor broke Alaska.

Mr. President, Members of the Board: Consider the recent history of the University.

President Donald O'Dowd, an individual deeply immersed in mainstream American academic culture and administration, came to Alaska from New York, looked at the evidence, and asked the legislature for more general funds. During his five year tenure, he and his board could not get what they asked for.

President Jerome Komisar came to Alaska, also coincidentally from the SUNY system in New York. In my opinion Komisar, an economist by training, had a deep understanding of universities and the importance of the academy to the American path. He came to the state, looked at the evidence, and he and his board asked the legislature for more general funds. In eight years they were unable to get what they asked for.

Now for two years the university has been graced with a new president cut from entirely different cloth. President Hamilton comes to the state from the highest echelons of the United States Military. It can be safely assumed that his view of the university is not tainted by years of academic administration. He came to the state, looked at the evidence, and he and his board have asked the legislature for more general funds. The university stands on the brink of not getting their request.

These three presidents and a continuously changing governing board account for a span of fifteen years. The presidents and their boards have not always agreed on all subjects, but they have all looked at the evidence, and from their position of authority established by the same constitution that authorizes the legislature, they have all asked for more general funds. They have all been unable to get what they asked for. . One may well ask, exactly who is the Alaska legislature prepared to believe?

Mr. President, the tragedy of the state of Alaska is that this state, in which everything and every resource, including financial resources, are on a world class scale, is in the thrall of a legislative authority whose vision is of such a low and muddied constraint that it does not enable them to have the foresight to come to the university in order to get in out of the rain.

Virtually every Alaskan, at one time or another, has had that foresight. At a recent Juneau graduation ceremony the university awarded everything from typing certificates to PhDs. The university has broad populist scope. The real problem here is about hearts and minds, about understanding our civilization, our children, and the face of the future.

The legislature's university budgets are a measure of their authors and not a measure of available funds. With their treatment of the university's budget requests, the legislature has created in me a bitter alienation. This legislature does not represent this citizen. This is a majority that always knows the answers before anybody else knows the questions, so I don't think they are listening.

President Hamilton, I welcome you to the state of Alaska, even though history may be against you here. I pray you and your board may be able to turn this one around. One time, in a budget fight, in an attempt to understand the nature of the Board of Regents, the members were described as war shamans. I see that this must still be the case. I wish you well.

Elizabeth Bennett, ACCFT representative from UAS, welcomed Regents Rogers and Rose; handed out an information sheet on the ACCFT; and thanked President Hamilton for the newspaper advertisement regarding support for the University of Alaska.

Chris Phillips, UAS Alumni Association representative, reported on the activities of the Association in fund raising, and legislative activities.

Shannon Christensen, president of Staff Alliance, welcomed Regent Rose; reported on Alliance activities regarding the grievance policy and health care benefits; gave a status report on the "Make Students Count" campaign; reported on the recent Staff Alliance retreat and projects that were formulated from that meeting including a review of the constitution and bylaws, staff development, leadership development, and concerns regarding overtime and salary levels; reported on lobbying efforts of the Alliance; and concerns regarding the health care benefits RFP.

"The Academic and Student Affairs Committee recommends that the Board of Regents delete Regents' Policy 09.91 - Student Self-Government and approve the proposal for revision of Regents' Policy 09.92 - Student Activity Fees as presented in Reference 2b. This motion is effective April 22, 1999."

3. Approval of a Coding Specialist Certificate in the Health Information Management Program at the University of Alaska Southeast Reference 3

MOTION

"The Academic and Student Affairs Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve a Coding Specialist Certificate for the Health Information Management Program at the University of Alaska Southeast. This motion is effective April 22, 1999."

The following motion was presented to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee:

MOTION

"The Academic and Student Affairs Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the proposal for Regents' Policy 09.02 - Student Organizations as presented in Reference 1a. This motion is effective April 22, 1999."

Regent Croft requested that the motion be pulled off the Consent Agenda to allow further discussion with the full board. After discussing the concerns regarding mandatory student fees, the board took the following action.

Regent Croft moved, seconded by Regent Rogers, and passed on a vote of six to one, that:

PASSED

"The Board of Regents approves the proposal for Regents' Policy 09.02 - Student Organizations as presented in Reference 1a. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

B. Audit Committee

No report.

C. Committee of the Whole

1. Acceptance of Administrative Cost Savings

[Moved from Consent Agenda.]

The following motion was presented to the Committee of the Whole:

MOTION

"The Committee of the Whole recommends that the Board of Regents recognizes the substantial efforts and sacrifices made by the university community in achieving approximately $11.5 million in administrative cost savings, and accepts these savings as satisfying the administrative reduction target of $10 million set forth in November 1997. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

After a lengthy discussion by the Committee of the Whole, the following revised motion was agreed upon.

"The Board of Regents recognizes the substantial efforts and sacrifices made by the university community in achieving approximately $11.5 million in administrative cost savings in FY98 and FY99 and accepts these savings in lieu of the restructuring savings originally contemplated in November 1997. The Board of Regents will continue to monitor administrative cost increases and reductions to ensure the university avoids unnecessary administrative costs. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

2. Committee Report

In addition to action items, the Committee of the Whole also had presentations on Information Technology and on the Alaska Quality Schools Initiative; and heard reports on the FY2001 budget request, and a legislative update.

Board members asked that the 1st readings of the Bylaws Revisions and the Information Resources policy be deferred to a future meeting.

D. Finance, Facilities and Land Management Committee

1. Approval of a Project for Construction of Improvements at the UAF Poker Flat Research Range and Lease of Same with Support Services Reference 4

[Moved from Consent Agenda.]

The following motion was presented to the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee:

MOTION

"The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee recommends that the Board of Regents:

1. approve the DataLynx project for construction of improvements at the UAF Poker Flat Research Range, not to exceed a total project cost of $500,000, and the plan for entering into a facility-use/lease agreement with DataLynx including support services and opportunities for research, data analysis, and employment and training for students; and

2. authorize the administration to execute such documents as may be necessary to implement the plan, provided that the vice president for finance determines that the initiative is in the best long-term interests of the university, considering benefits to the university research and instructional programs.

This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

The administration reported that it would be necessary to modify the motion to increase the total project cost from $500,000 to $700,000.

Regent Fate requested a language clarification to paragraph 2.

The committee requested that if funds would be used for this project from the Inflation-Proofing Fund, that such funds would be repaid to the fund at an appropriate interest rate.

With these modifications, the committee forwarded the following motion to the full board.

1. approves the DataLynx project for construction of improvements at the UAF Poker Flat Research Range, not to exceed a total project cost of $700,000, and the plan for entering into a facility-use/lease agreement with DataLynx including support services and opportunities for research, data analysis, and employment and training for students;

2. authorizes the administration to execute such documents as deemed necessary to implement the plan, provided that the vice president for finance determines that the initiative is in the best long-term interests of the university, considering benefits to the university research and instructional programs; and

3. should the funding for this project necessitate using funds from the Inflation-Proofing Fund, directs that the loan from that fund be repaid with the appropriate interest rate.

This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

2. Lease of a Student Union Facility at the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau Campus

This item was presented to the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee as an item of new business. However, it was determined over the course of the meeting to present a motion to the full board in order to allow the campus to proceed with the possible lease.

"The Board of Regents authorizes the vice president for finance or designee to execute such agreements as may be necessary to implement the plan for creation of a student union for the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau campus, in accordance with the plan presented to the Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

3. Committee Report

Regent Demeksa provided the following written report:

The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee took action on the following topics:

~ Approval of a Project for Construction of Improvements at the UAF Poker Flat Research Range and Lease of Same with Support Services

~ Executive Session regarding Real Property Issues
The Finance, Facilities, and Land Management Committee conducted an executive session on April 22, 1999 in accordance with A.S. 44.62.310 to discuss real property matters, this topic being a subject the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university. The session included members of the Board of Regents, General Counsel Parrish, Vice President Lynch and such other staff members as the vice president for finance designated and lasted approximately 25 minutes.

~ Lease of a Student Union Facility at the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau Campus

The Committee also heard reports on the following topics:

~ Status Report on UAF Food Service

~ Status Report on the Coal-Water Fuel Project
Regent Fate requested a tour of the Coal-Water Fuel Project site during the June 1999 meeting. Vice Chancellor Williams reported that the cost estimates for slurry plant design are expected sometime in August 1999.

~ Status Report on Construction in Progress

~ Update on Status of Kodiak Property

Committee members also asked that a special meeting be held before the June 1999 regular meeting to discuss ongoing construction projects, the Consolidated Fund report, and other matters pertinent to the committee.

"The Human Resources Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve the appointment of Brenda Baxter, Eleanor Evans, Patty Kastelic, James Langhoff, Jean Linthwaite, Johni Meshell, Eleanor Schaff, Val Scullion, Carolyne Wallace, and Irma Jean Zito, to a temporary position or project contract, not to exceed 49 percent of their previous base salary. These appointments may not include retirement, health or leave benefits, except social security replacement if required by the IRS. This motion is effective April 22, 1999."

Due to concerns expressed by the UAF administration, the motion was amended to delete all UAF staff names to enable UAF administration time to thoroughly examine each request, with the intent to forward the approved names to the board at its June 1999 meeting.

Regent Croft moved, seconded by Regent Rogers, and passed on a vote of six to one, that:

PASSED AS AMENDED

"The Board of Regents approves the appointment of Patty Kastelic, James Langhoff, Jean Linthwaite, and Eleanor Schaff, to a temporary position or project contract, not to exceed 49 percent of their previous base salary. These appointments may not include retirement, health or leave benefits, except social security replacement if required by the IRS. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

This policy supercedes existing policy as to all grievances arising on or after April 26, 1999, or in which the Step 3 filing is made on or after April 26, 1999, and to all ongoing grievances in which the grievant and the University agree to elect to proceed under this policy.

This motion is effective April 22, 1999."

The committee discussed concerns that several of the sections would be more appropriately placed in University Regulation rather than in Regents' Policy. After determining which sections should be moved, the committee forwarded the following motion.

The President will promulgate University Regulation pursuant to this policy establishing specific procedures for dispute and grievance resolution. Initially, regulations should be generally consistent with the provisions proposed as policy in Reference 6. The President will report such regulations to the Board of Regents.

This approval is effective upon the promulgation of such regulations by the President."

3. Committee Report

In addition to action items, the Human Resources Committee also heard a report on Labor Relations, and the status of health benefits.

F. Labor Relations Committee

No report.

G. Planning and Development Committee

No report.

H. Nominating Committee

Regent Demeksa reported that the Nominating Committee had met to discuss a possible slate of candidates for board officer positions to be elected at the annual meeting in June.

X. Approval of Revised Meeting Schedule

Because of concerns regarding possible conflicts with several board member schedules, the board determined that it would approve the meeting location revisions in September/October and in November and determine the remainder of the schedule at the annual meeting in June. Accordingly, the following schedule was approved.

"The Board of Regents approves the 1999 Meeting Schedule as amended. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

XI. Future Agenda Items

Regent Rogers requested that a convocation of former regents be held sometime in the fall.

XII. Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Report

No report.

XIII. Board of Regents' Comments

Regent Ogg reported on the recent SFOS Advisory Council meeting.

Regent Rogers thanked UAS for its presentation; commented that he felt the Information Technology presentation was very important; and expressed his concerns regarding comments made during the discussions with the Alaska Mental Health Trust representatives.

Regent Fate thanked the faculty, staff and students who had participated in the meeting; thanked the board office for the Board Member Handbook; and thanked President Hamilton for his excellent work during this legislative session.

Regent Rose expressed her appreciation to UAS for its presentation; and reported on the UAA Student Showcase.

Regent Demeksa thanked UAS for its presentation and asked that these presentations continue; congratulated the UAF investment club students for their 67 percent return with funds to go toward scholarships; welcomed Regent Rose; and thanked President Hamilton for all his efforts toward promoting the University of Alaska.

Regent Burns welcomed Regent Rose; thanked UAS for their excellent presentation; and thanked all who took part in the meeting.

"The Board of Regents goes into executive session at 4:45 p.m. A.D.T in accordance with the provisions of AS 44.62.310 to discuss matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university related to:

~ Litigation~ Labor~ Land~ Contract Negotiations

and matters which would affect the reputation or character of a person or persons including:

~ Personnel Matters

The session will include members of the Board of Regents, President Hamilton, General Counsel Parrish, and such other university staff members as the president may designate and will last approximately one hour. Thus, the open session of the Board of Regents will resume in the Gastineau Suite at approximately 5:45 p.m. A.D.T. This motion is effective April 23, 1999."

The Board of Regents concluded an executive session at 5:50 p.m. A.D.T. in accordance with AS 44.62.310 discussing matters the immediate knowledge of which would have an adverse effect on the finances of the university; and matters which would affect the reputation or character of a person or persons. The session included members of the Board of Regents, President Hamilton, General Counsel Parrish, and other university staff members designated by the president and lasted approximately one hour.